The lightweight division will go ahead with some massive fights in 2021 – with or without Khabib Nurmagomedov in the photo.
UFC 257 will feature a long-awaited rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier in the main event, as well as the Octagon debut of former Bellator champion Michael Chandler when he faces Dan Hooker.
On Tuesday, UFC President Dana White participated in a fan’s virtual Q&A on ESPN + and answered fan questions read by Laura Sanko. One of the questions White was asked next for former interim champion Justin Gaethje.
“If everything goes well, it will probably be (Charles) Oliveira,” said White.
White reiterated that before Chandler joined Hooker, the UFC expected to mark its promotional debut against Oliveira, but making 155 in consecutive months was not in the cards. “Do Bronx” has an eight-game winning streak that includes 2,020 victories over Kevin Lee in March and Tony Ferguson at UFC 256.
Gaethje won the provisional lightweight title with a submission in Ferguson’s fifth round in the main event of UFC 249. “The Highlight” went on to face Nurmagomedov for the undisputed title and was submitted in the second round of UFC 254 in what could be the final fight of the undefeated champion.
Of course, all of those plans could change if Nurmagomedov – who is due to meet White next week in Abu Dhabi – decides to change his mind.